People: Hurst; Derian House; Dark Horse; Lichfields; PwC UK; Unsworth; WHN Solicitors; Slater Heelis; Cullimore Dutton
Business advisory and accounting firm Hurst has appointed Ellen Feetum to head a new corporate tax compliance offering.
Ellen has joined as an associate partner from KPMG, where she began her career as a graduate in 2004.
She was most recently a senior manager in its corporate tax team, working with clients ranging from start-ups to large listed groups turning over more than £2bn, in sectors including retailing, manufacturing, distribution and life sciences.
It is the latest service line to be launched by the practice, following the arrival of partner Karen Chadwick last year to lead a new private client tax offering.
Meanwhile, Hurst has expanded its business services team with the arrival of Eve
Armstrong, Adam Proud and Will Grimbleby as associates, Siphathisiwe Nyathi as a senior and Tino Banya as a semi-senior.
The firm has also announced a series of promotions in the business services team, which carries out audit, compliance, strategic advisory, outsourcing and business planning work for clients.
Aaron Booth, Alex Burgon and Lisa Everett have been promoted to manager and Georgia Hall to associate manager.
Aaron, Georgia and Lisa all joined Hurst as trainees and qualified with the firm. Alex has been at Hurst since 2018, when he moved from BTG Advisory.
Hurst moved its headquarters last spring to a flagship development in Stockport to accommodate its growing team.
Hurst partner, Simon Brownbill, the firm’s director of practice development, said:
“Ellen’s wealth of experience and deep technical expertise make her the ideal person to lead this new service line. We’re excited about the value this new service will bring to our entrepreneurial client base.”
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Maria Williamson
Derian House Children’s Hospice has added a midwife to its nursing team.
It is a first for the charity, and the new addition adds to the hospice’s range of specialist nurses able to support families in whatever way they need.
Since the beginning of the year, Derian House, based in Chorley, has been on a mission to enhance the support it offers to the 400 families it cares for.
Maria Williamson, 56, brings 30 years of midwifery experience and 38 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse to Derian House.
She said: “When this role came up it was absolutely a no brainer, I just knew that it was where I’m meant to be.”
Catherine Randall, Chief Nurse at Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: “We are very excited to welcome our very own midwife, Maria, who will bridge the gap between antenatal and postnatal care, working alongside our team to ensure our families receive all-encompassing care now and in the future.”
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Alan Reeves
Manchester-based digital marketing agency, Dark Horse, has a new set of hands on the reins.
John Keating has taken the role of CEO and founder where he can work on the ‘vision’ of the agency at a safe distance. Alan Reeves has taken over as Managing Director to work on the ‘doing’ parts.
Alan boasts 17 years of digital marketing experience, jumping into the role directly from his position as Director of Search for Click Consult. He has serviced the likes of Age UK, boohoo, Capita, Kwik Fit, Lloyds Pharmacy, Nationwide, Tesco and Unibet.
Alan said: “I’m stoked to be working with such a brilliant and driven team that shares my values and ambition.
“The determination of our CEO John means we have the platform, agility and support to accelerate growth for Dark Horse and our clients.”
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Melissa Wilson
UK planning and development consultancy, Lichfields, has announced the promotion of Melissa Wilson to Planning Director in its Manchester office.
With more than 14 years of experience in town planning and landscape architecture, Melissa has built a strong reputation for coordinating Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and managing large-scale projects across the residential, energy and infrastructure sectors.
She has played a central role in the delivery of several complex developments, providing expert advice and leading multidisciplinary teams through all stages of the planning process.
Melissa said: “It’s been a privilege to work on such a diverse range of projects and contribute to the growth of Lichfields’ Manchester office. I look forward to leading new and exciting developments, continuing to build on our strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.”
The firm has also announced several other key promotions in its Manchester team as it continues to expand. Max Kidd-Rossiter has been promoted to Associate Director and Steve Rowe is now a Senior Planner.
Simon Pemberton, who leads the Lichfields team in Manchester, said: “Melissa’s commitment, technical expertise and leadership has been a driving force behind some of our most successful projects. Melissa’s promotion is a reflection of her outstanding contributions to the team and we look forward to seeing her continue to lead and shape the future of our work across the North West.”
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Laura Nadel
PwC UK has appointed Laura Nadel as its new Market Senior Partner for Manchester.
Laura, who has been with the firm for a decade, will lead collaboration across PwC’s services and 1,900 colleagues based in Hardman Square, to support clients in the Manchester region and beyond.
A qualified lawyer, Laura is a Partner in PwC UK’s Workforce team, advising clients on the full spectrum of employment issues. She will retain her diverse client portfolio, which ranges from FTSE 100s to private businesses, inbound companies and start-ups.
She said: “Partnering with our clients is my passion, and as Market Senior Partner, I’m excited to engage with them on a regional scale. “I’m looking forward to bringing our people together to use their diverse skills to help solve our clients’ most important and complex problems while contributing to Manchester’s growth agenda.”
Having lived in Manchester since 2004, Laura spent more than 10 years at the law firm DLA Piper, where she progressed to Legal Director. She joined PwC in 2015 and became a Partner in 2021. Laura replaces Adam Waller, who retired from the partnership at the end of December.
Emma Suchland, PwC UK Regional Market Leader for the North, said: “Laura’s energy, ambition, and passion for the region, our clients, and our team is truly inspiring.”
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Unsworth Liverpool team
Unsworth, an operator in freight forwarding and customs brokerage for more than 50 years, has started 2025 with a bang, by opening for business in Liverpool.
The new Liverpool branch will strengthen Unsworth’s presence in a key region, enhancing support for both current and future clients.
This move is part of Unsworth’s ongoing investment in its network, which has seen the recent launch of its Heathrow branch to support air freight operations.
Unsworth has recruited three highly skilled professionals to lead the charge in Liverpool.
Mark Cox has joined as director of the Liverpool branch. He brings more than 25 years’ experience within the freight and logistics industry, in particular with significant experience in the West Africa region. Mark will drive the commercial development of the Liverpool branch, ensuring its continued success and growth.
Joe Edwards also joins as business development manager, a similar position to one that he had held for more than six years at his previous company. Joe brings a dynamic approach to the team, dedicated to strengthening client relationships and identifying new growth opportunities for the company across the region.
The third member of the senior management at the new office is Cesar Caicedo who has taken on the role of procurement manager. With more than a quarter of a century of experience in the logistics industry in shipping line and forwarder roles, Cesar has a deep understanding of procurement processes and global markets. He joins from an export procurement role.
CEO, Richard Hogg, said: “We’re excited to establish a stronger presence in Liverpool, a key location in the North West.
“This expansion reflects our ongoing commitment to growth, improving our service delivery, and supporting our customers with tailored solutions.”
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Kay Jackson-Leigh and Michael Shroot
North West law firm, Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall (WHN) Solicitors, has appointed experienced HR professional, Kay Jackson-Leigh, as its first head of people and culture to support its continued growth across the North West.
Kay brings more than 15 years’ senior experience, predominantly in the legal sector.
She takes on a senior position, heading up the firm’s people and culture strategy. This includes shaping the WHN’s approach to recruitment and retention, developing new employee engagement initiatives to ensure inclusion in key decisions as well as expanding WHN’s development and training programme.
CEO, Michael Shroot, said: “Our firm prides itself on the excellent relationships that we have with our clients which is achieved through our core values being at the heart of our operations. Employee engagement is vital to ensuring our values are embedded across the firm and Kay’s appointment is key to building on what we have already achieved in this area.”
Kay said: “WHN is a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation with a real commitment to both its clients and employees.
“Ensuring these values are at the heart of everything the company does will require an increasingly strategic focus as the firm continues to expand. I’m excited to use my experience and knowledge to drive this forward.”
WHN employs more than 100 staff in offices in Accrington, Bacup, Blackburn, Bury, Clitheroe, Great Harwood, Haslington, Rawtenstall and Salford.
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Debbie Coyne, left, and Joanna Safadi
Slater Heelis has appointed Joanna Safadi as Associate Partner, heading up immigration services within the employment team.
Joanna brings a wealth of experience and expertise in both private and corporate immigration fields, further strengthening the Manchester law firm’s commitment to providing exceptional legal services in this space.
Joanna specialises in immigration and visa work, with a deep passion for achieving optimal results for her clients. She brings an extensive background in navigating the complex and ever-changing immigration rules and regulations in the UK and abroad, having spent much of her life in Britain and the Middle East.
Joanna’s professional and personal experiences in immigration, coupled with her Middle Eastern background, enable her to deliver an exceptional service. She is also preparing to complete her New York Bar exam next year, which will allow her to assist clients with navigating the complex US immigration system.
Partner, Debbie Coyne, Head of Employment at Slater Heelis, said: “Joanna is such an exceptional talent with a wealth of experience and we’re overjoyed to welcome her to the employment team. Her expertise and passion for immigration law will be a tremendous asset to our firm and our clients.”
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L-R: Emily Pickering, Hollie Randles, Alexandra McCarthy, Sarah Askey, Sarah Davies, Mai Lewis, Grace Page, Matthew McGowan, Fiona Morgan
Cheshire legal and financial services firm, Cullimore Dutton, has unveiled a series of new appointments as part of its growth strategy.
The firm, which is based in Chester, expects to increase headcount from 55 lawyers, financial planners and support staff to more than 70 in the next 18 months.
The first wave of eight new recruits are: Hollie Randles and Alexandra McCarthy, both solicitors in the Family team, Mai Lewis and Matthew McGowan (both solicitors in the Wills, Trusts and Estates team), Sarah Askey (solicitor, Property), Grace Page (legal assistant, Wills Trusts and Estates), Emily Pickering (legal assistant, Property) and Fiona Morgan (financial services administrator, Financial Services).
Managing Director, Sarah Davies, said: All our new starters join us at a time of sustained growth for our business and to play a part in enabling us to fulfil the next stage of our growth plans.
“The appointments reflect the growth that all of our teams are currently experiencing.”
Sarah was promoted to the role of MD at the start of the year with previous MD, Andrew Wright, becoming CEO.
In other key appointments, fellow directors Adele Bebbington-Plant, Head of Private Client, and Brenda Spain, Head of Family, became Business Development Director and Client Relationship Director, respectively, alongside their existing roles.
The changes to the senior management team coincided with the launch of a new brand identity and website.
